Kagiso Rabada banned for two Tests after Steve Smith contact, to miss rest of Australia series

Kagiso Rabada has received a two-match suspension after his clash with Australia’s Steve Smith earned him three demerit points.

Kagiso Rabada has been found guilty of a level two International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct offence of “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player” after shoulder-charging Australia captain Steve Smith when he dismissed him in the first innings, an ICC statement said.(REUTERS)

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa fast bowler, has been banned for the remainder of his country’s series with Australia following his contact with Steve Smith in the second Test.

Rabada was charged with a Level 2 ICC Code of Conduct offence of “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player”, after he made contact with Smith with his shoulder while celebrating his dismissal of the tourists’ captain on the opening day in Port Elizabeth.

Following a hearing, Rabada was fined 50 per cent of his match fee and handed three demerit points, the latter sanction prompting an automatic two-match suspension for the accumulation of eight demerit points within a 24-month period.

Rabada, the star of South Africa’s second-Test victory with 11 wickets, will therefore play no part in the third and fourth Tests as he pays the price for a succession of disciplinary transgressions.

He also accepted a second charge relating to a send-off he gave to David Warner, resulting in a further 15 per cent fine from his match fee and an additional demerit point.

Jeff Crowe, a member of the elite panel of ICC match referees, said: “I found that there was contact between Rabada and Smith, and in my judgement the contact by Rabada was inappropriate, and deliberate.

“He had the opportunity to avoid the contact, and I could not see any evidence to support the argument that the contact was accidental.

“It is also disappointing that this has happened the day after the pre-match meeting I had with both teams, where the importance of respect for opponents was highlighted.